In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Last night an old friend came knocking on my door
I let him in, let him sleep on my floor
He spoke to me in a voice I'd known long before
Baking soda and tin foil to purify his score
Sing the song now
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Last night death came swinging down from the moon
Drinking Argentine wine with a black attitude
Saying reality is the baggage, the airport is truth
He asked for one cigarette, you gave him two
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these two white boy blues
I said you must leave take your mirror and your straw
If you're too tired to walk, baby, you can always crawl
In your desperate moments, in your bathroom stall
Take your Andy Warhol, it's getting close to dawn
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Youth lost me running through the fields
She caught me off guard, baby, she caught me by the heels
A child of nature does not know how to feel
We know what she bought but, baby, what did she steal?
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these two white boy blues
I drove into Cassie
With all my might
In a van bound for Dakota at Christmas time
I knew her in Havre, everything was fine
By the time we hit Glasgow, baby we were in a fight
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yesterday was Tuesday, Diana knows it so well
From the trailer park to the ghetto to the wishing well
We pray for our lady welfare, deliver us from Hell
Jerk off the movie usher, sound the fire bell
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these white boy blues
Last night an old friend came knocking on my door
He was dressed in ribbons from the Persian Gulf war
He spoke to me in a voice I've known long before
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
[screaming] I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
I let him in, let him sleep on my floor
He spoke to me in a voice I'd known long before
Baking soda and tin foil to purify his score
Sing the song now
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Last night death came swinging down from the moon
Drinking Argentine wine with a black attitude
Saying reality is the baggage, the airport is truth
He asked for one cigarette, you gave him two
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these two white boy blues
I said you must leave take your mirror and your straw
If you're too tired to walk, baby, you can always crawl
In your desperate moments, in your bathroom stall
Take your Andy Warhol, it's getting close to dawn
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Youth lost me running through the fields
She caught me off guard, baby, she caught me by the heels
A child of nature does not know how to feel
We know what she bought but, baby, what did she steal?
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these two white boy blues
I drove into Cassie
With all my might
In a van bound for Dakota at Christmas time
I knew her in Havre, everything was fine
By the time we hit Glasgow, baby we were in a fight
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yeah-ha
Yeah
Yesterday was Tuesday, Diana knows it so well
From the trailer park to the ghetto to the wishing well
We pray for our lady welfare, deliver us from Hell
Jerk off the movie usher, sound the fire bell
And I try so hard just to get to you
But I'm surrounded by midnight singing these white boy blues
Last night an old friend came knocking on my door
He was dressed in ribbons from the Persian Gulf war
He spoke to me in a voice I've known long before
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
[screaming] I said the man you once knew don't live here anymore
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.